PRINCIPLES  AND  DISCIPLINE 


OF  THE 


United  ^retjjra's  CflitgregattM, 


AT 


SALEM,  NORTH  CAROLINA, 


As  adopted  by  the  Congregation  Council, 
MAY  17th,  1859. 

nd  approved  by  the  Provincial  Elders1  Conference, 

MAY  20th,  1859. 


It 


SALEM,  N.  C. 

PRINTED  BY  L.  V.  BLUM. 
1859. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/principlesdiscipOOmora 


PREFACE. 

The  Constitution  of  the  Moravian  Congregation  at  Salem 
having  been  changed  by  the  abrogation  of  the  statute  which 
permitted  none  but  members  of  the  church  to  hold  property  or 
carry  on  business  in  the  town  of  Salem,  it  became  necessary  to 
undertake  a  revision  of  the  then  existing  rules  and  regulations, 
in  so  far  as  they  related  to  the  outward  and  secular  concerns  of 
the  congregation^ 

Such  revision  was  duly  made,  and  the  Rules  and  Regulations 
following,  having  been  discussed  in  successive  meetings  of  the 
Congregation  Council,  were  finally  adopted  by  a  vote  of  more 
than  two-thirds  of  the  members  present.  Consequently,  accord- 
ing to  established  rules  and  precedents,  they  are  of  equal  weight 
and  obligation  as  though  they  had  been  embodied  in  the  foriher 
rules  and  regulations ;  and  hence  also,  the  Congregation  Coun- 
cil resolved  that  those  brethren  who  had  once  signed  the  rules 
should  not  be  required  to  do  so  again. 


Salem,  June  1,  1859. 


PART  I. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  FAITH  A1VD  PRACTICE. 

1.  The  Church  of  the  United  Brethren,  or  Moravians,  is  built 
upon  the  foundation  of  the  apostles  and  prophets,  Jesus 
Christ  himself  being  the  Chief  Corner  Stone.  (Eph.  2.  20.) 
As  members  of  this  church,  we  acknowledge  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  to  contain  everything 
essential  to  salvation;,  and  to  be  the  only  rule  of  our  faith 
and  practice. 

We  maintain  the  following  points  of  doctrine  as  essential 
to  salvation : 

a.  The  doctrine  of  the  total  depravity  of  human  nature — that 
there  is  no  health  in  us, — and  that,  since  the  fall,  we  have 
no  power  left  to  help  ourselves. 

b.  The  doctrine  of  the  love  of  God  the  Father,  who  "has 
chosen  us  in  Christ  before  the  foundation  of  the  world," 
and  "who  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begot- 
ten Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him,  should  not  per- 
ish, but  have  everlasting  life." 

c.  The  doctrine  of  the  real  Godhead  and  real  manhood  of 
J esus  Christ ; — that  God,  the  Creator  of  all  things,  was 
manifested  in  the  flesh,  and  has  reconciled  the  world  unto 
himself, — that  "he  is  before  all  things,  and  by  him  all 
things  consist." 

d.  The  doctrine  of  the  atonement  and  satisfaction  of  Jesus 
Christ  for  us  ; — that  "he  was  delivered  for  our  offences,  and 
raised  again  for  our  justification ;"  and  that  in  his  merits 
alone  we  find  forgiveness  of  sins  and  peace  with  God. 

~e..  The  doctrine  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  his  gracious  opera- 
tions ; — that  it  is  he  who  works  in  us  the  knowledge  of  sin, 
faith  in  Jesus,  and  the  witness  that  we  are  the  children  of 
God. 

/.  The  doctrine  of  the  fruits  of  faith ; — that  it  must  show  it- 
self as  an  active  principle,  by  a  willing  obedience  to  God's 


PRINCIPLES  AND  DISCIPLINE. 


commandments,  flowing  from  love  and  gratitude.  (See 
Synodal  Results,  1857,  p.  7.) 

2.  The  only  object  of  our  religious  union  is  to  constitute  a 
church  of  Jesus  Christ,  in  which  the  pure  word  of  God  is 
preached,  the  sacraments  are  duly  administered,  and  chris- 
tian discipline  is  maintained. 

3.  We  recognize  as  a  true  member  of  Christ's  body  every  one, 
who,  through  the  Holy  Ghost,  has  experienced  the  new  birth. 
Hence  we  regard  all  children  of  God  as  our  brethren  in  Christ, 
loving  them  sincerely  and  heartily,  and  disclaiming,  as  alto- 
gether opposed  to  the  mind  of  Christ,  all  sectarian  animosity 
arising  from  diversity  of  views  on  points  of  doctrine,  disci- 
pline, or  church  government. 

4.  Esteeming  it  a  great  privilege  to  meet  together  for  the  wor- 
ship of  God  and  for  mutual  edification,  we  will  be  faithful  in 
attending  our  meetings,  "not  forsaking  the  assembling  of  our- 
selves together."    (Heb.  10.  25.) 

5.  We  consider  ourselves  bound  faithfully  to  provide  a  sufficient 
and  suitable  support  for  our  ministers  and  their  families  ;  and 
we  will  also  bear  an  equitable  part  in  defraying  all  other  ex- 
penses connected  with  the  service  of  the  congregation. 

6.  Being  members  of  the  Moravian  Church,  we  consider  our- 
selves in  duty  bound  to  take  a  share  in  meeting  the  common 
necessities  of  the  province  to  which  we  belong,  and  of  the 
Brethren's  Unity  at  large, — especially  the  missions  among 
the  heathen. 

7.  As  regards  our  children,  we  desire  ever  to  recognize  them 
as  the  property  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  purchased  with  his 
most  precious  blood ;  and  to  follow  the  divine  precept,  to 
" bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord." 
(Eph.  6.  4.)  Hence  it  is  expected  of  all  parents  that  they 
faithfully  endeavor  to  guard  their  children  against  everything 
that  might  prove  hurtful  to  their  souls  ;  that  they,  through 
grace,  obtained  by  prayer  and  supplication,  be  priests  of  God, 
lifting  up  holy  hands  for  themselves  and  their  families ;  de- 
claring to  them  the  love  of  Jesus,  and  in  no  wise  neglecting 
the  regular  observance  of  family  devotion  ;  that  they  set  be- 


PRINCIPLES  AND  DISCIPLINE. 


fore  them  a  consistent  christian  example  ;  that  they  cause 
their  children  punctually  to  attend  school,  religious  instruc- 
tion, and  the  meetings  for  worship  ;  that  they  be  suitably 
employed  at  home  ;  and  that,  as  they  increase  in  years,  they 
be  accustomed  to  habits  of  order  and  decorum,  and  to  a  well 
regulated  and  moral  conduct. 

8.  As  true  brotherly  love  is  characteristic  of  the  disciples  of 
Jesus,  wre  will  hold  it  fast  as  the  bond  of  perfection.  We 
will  endeavor  in  love  to  serve  and  aid  one  another  ;  to  bear 
with  and  forgive  one  another,  mutually  to  exercise  meekness, 
humility,  and  becoming  respect,  and  carefully  avoid  whatever 
might  interrupt  that  love,  such  as  backbiting,  slandering,  or 
other  uncharitable  practices.  We  desire  to  love  one  another 
as  Christ  hath  loved  us. 

9.  As  we  are  called,  through  the  grace  of  God,  to  be  children 
of  peace,  we  will  follow  after  peace  with  all  men,  carefully 
endeavoring  to  obey  the  precepts  of  our  Saviour,  "  Whatso- 
ever ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to 
them;"  and  bearing  in  mind  the  important  charge,  "Love 
your  enemies,  bless  them  that  curse  you,  and  pray  for  them 
which  despitefully  use  you,  and  persecute  you." 

10.  We  recognize  the  duty  of  relieving  the  necessities  of  all 
such  members,  as  may,  through  age,  sickness,  or  other  afflic- 
tions, have  become  destitute  and  unable  to  maintain  them- 
selves. We  likewise  assume  the  obligation  of  so  providing 
for  the  education  of  destitute  orphans  in  the  congregation,  that 
they  may  become  useful  members  of  society,  and  capable  of 
procuring  for  themselves  an  honest  livelihood. 

11.  In  regard  to  dress,  domestic  arrangements,  and  the  like,  we 
will  aim  at  frugality,  propriety,  and  economy,  removing  far 
from  us  all  extravagance,  vanity,  and  abuse  of  worldly  goods. 

12.  We  consider  ourselves  in  duty  bound  to  provide  things  hon- 
est in  the  sight  of  all  men,  as  well  as  in  the  sight  of  God  ; 
consequently  we  will  endeavor  to  be  "not  slothful  in  business, 
but  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord;"  and  we  will  steadi- 
ly discountenance  the  sin  of  habitual  idleness. 


PRINCIPLED   AM)  DISCIPLINE. 


7 


13.  We  will  not  forget  to  hallow  the  Lord's  day.  We  will 
make  a  faithful  use  of  it  as  a  day  for  devout  meditation,  and 
for  building  ourselves  up  in  our  most  holy  faith.  The  carry- 
ing on  of  worldly  business  or  labor,  other  than  wTorks  of  char- 
ity or  necessity  ;  the  frequenting  of  places  of  worldly  resort, 
or  anything  w^iich  interferes  with  edification  and  attendance 
on  Divine  worship,  is  wholly  inadmissible. 

14.  Regarding  intemperance  in  the  use  of  strong  drink  as  a 
most  pernicious  and  sinful  practice,  rendering  men  in  an  es- 
pecial degree  the  servants  of  sin,  we  will  endeavor  to  remove 
everything  that  can  furnish  occasion  for  this  evil,  from  among 
us,  and  give  timely  admonition  and  warning  to  those  who  may 
be  exposing  themselves  to  temptation. 

15.  We  wrill  carefully  beware  of  all  books  and  publications 
which  are  opposed  to  the  Bible  or  treat  it  irreverently,  or  of 
such  as  have  an  immoral  tendency,  or  may  in  any  way  cor- 
rupt the  mind,  or  turn  it  from  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Jesus. 
We  disapprove  of  any  participation  in  such  amusements  as 
have  an  injurious  or  even  a  questionable  tendency  with  re- 
spect to  Christian  morals. 

16.  In  case  misunderstandings  or  differences  arise  among  any 
of  the  members,  they  shall  first,  according  to  the  command- 
ment of  Christ,  endeavor  to  come  to  an  amicable  agreement 
and  equitable  settlement  among  themselves.  Should  they 
fail  in  so  doing,  the  persons  at  variance  shall  select  some  oth- 
er members  of  the  congregation  to  act  as  mediators  ;  and  if 
the  difficulty  cannot  thus  be  arranged  to  mutual  satisfaction, 
the  case  shall  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  Elders  for  brother- 
ly investigation  and  decision.  Should  either  of  the  parties 
even  then  refuse  to  be  reconciled  and  pacified,  such  party 
can  no  longer  be  considered  a  member  of  the  church.  In 
case,  however,  the  point  of  dispute  should  render  a  resort  to 
the  courts  of  justice  indispensable,  everything  at  variance 
with  our  character  .as  brethren  is  to  be  avoided. 

17.  Should  any  one  be  overtaken  in  a  fault,  (Gal.  6. 1.)  we  will 
endeavor  to  restore  such  an  one  in  the  spirit  of  meekness  ; 
and  when,  on  committing  an  error,  we  are  reproved  and  ad- 


8 


PROClFLES   AXD  DISCIPLINE. 


monished,  we  will,  by  the  £race  of  God,  receive  reproof  thank- 
fully, and  strive  to  amend,  considering  all  such  admonitions 
as  great  benefits  conferred  upon  us. 

18.  Inasmuch  as  it  behooves  every  member  of  the  church  in  all 
things  to  walk  worthy  of  the  gospel,  so  also  shall  those  who 
give  offence  to  others,  and  refuse  correction,  after  repeated 
admonition  and  reproof,  be  excluded  from  church-fellowship, 
according  to  the  rule:  ilPut  away  from  among  yourselves  that 
wicked  person.*' 

19.  If,  therefore,  any  member  in  word  or  deed,  act  contrary  to 
the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  church,  and  by  his  example 
tempt  others  to  do  the  same  ;  transgressing  the  laws  of  the 
country ;  overreaching  his  neighbor  in  trade  :  in  any  manner 
taking  part  in  gambling  and  lotteries  ;  or  being  guilty  of  ly- 
ing, backbiting  and  calumny ;  giving  himself  up  to  drunken- 
ness ;  neglecting  to  satisfy  his  creditors  ;  committing  the  sins 
of  cursing  and  swearing,  fornication  and  adultery,  or  other 
manifest  works  of  the  flesh  as  enumerated  Gal.  5.  19-21., 
such  an  one  can  not  longer  be  considered  a  member  of  the 
church. 


PAET  II. 

PRINCIPLES  AXD  RILES  RELATING  TO  THE  CON- 
STITUTION OR  FOR3I  OF  GOVERNMENT  OF  THE 
CONGREGATION, 

1.  GENERAL  SYNODS. 

The  government  of  the  Brethren's  Church,  under  the  supreme 
guidance  of  the  Great  Head  of  his  church,  our  Lord  and  Sa- 
viour, Jesus  Christ,  is  exercised  by  General  Synods.  Such  a 
Synod  constitutes,  whenever  assembled,  the  body  to  which 
pertains  the  chief  legislative  power  for  all  general  affairs  of 
the  church. 


PRINCIPLES  AND  DISCIPLINE. 


2.  UNITY'S  ELDERS'  CONFERENCE. 

The  oversight  and  direction  of  the  Unity  from  one  general  Syn- 
od to  another,  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  general  Synods,  is 
committed  to  a  Board,  chosen  by  the  Synod,  and  called  the 
Unity's  Elders'  Conference,  or  the  Directing  Board  of  the 
Protestant  Church  of  the  Brethren.  All  other  Boards,  as 
well  as  servants'of  the  Unity,  by  whatsoever  power  appoint- 
ed, are  responsible  to  this  Board,  in  all  matters  over  which 
the  General  Synod  has  jurisdiction. 

3.  PROVINCIAL  SYNODS. 

The  chief  direction  of  all  provincial  concerns,  and  the  power  of 
legislating  upon  them,  belongs  immediately  to  Provincial 
Synods.  These  Synods  are  specially  charged  with  the  duty 
of  examining  thoroughly  the  spiritual  as  well  as  temporal  con- 
dition of  the  congregations  within  the  province. 

4.  PROVINCIAL  ELDERS'  CONFERENCE. 
The  chief  board  of  administration  in  all  provincial  affairs  is  the 
Provincial  Elders'  Conference.    This  Board  is  responsible  to 
the  Provincial  Synod  ;   and  is  accountable  to  it  for  its  ad- 
ministration. 

5.  BOARDS  OF  THE  SALEM  CONGREGATION. 
1.  Board  of  Elders. — The  Board  of  Elders  shall  be  compos- 
ed of  the  Pastor  or  Pastors  of  the  Congregation,  the  Princi- 
pal of  the  Salem  Female  Academy,  and  three  other  brethren, 
to  be  elected  by  the  Congregation  Council,  from  among 
the  members  of  the  Council.  They  shall  be  30  years  of 
age,  and  not  less  than  five  years  members  of  the  church. — 
After  the  first  election,  these  three  brethren,  shall,  at  the 
first  meeting  of  the  Board,  determine  by  lot  whose  term  of 
office  shall  expire  respectively,  at  the  end  of  the  fir3t,  second 
and  third  year,  (in  like  manner  as  hereinafter  provided  for 
the  Board  of  Trustees,)  and  after  the  first  election  one  mem- 
ber shall  be  elected  annually,  to  serve  for  three  years.  The 
election  shall  be  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  May  of  every  year 
— the  day  fixed  for  the  election  of  members  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees.  The  election  of  the  Board  of  Elders  shall  be  first 
m  order. 


PRINCIPLES  AND  DISCIPLINE. 


At  the  meetings  of  the  Board  the  pastor  shall  preside ;  and  in 
case  there  is  more  than  one  pastor,  the  senior  (i.  e.  the  prin- 
cipal) one  shall  be  president. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Board  of  Elders  : 

a.  To  watch  over  the  spiritual  and  moral  well-being  of  the 
Congregation  as  a  whole. 

5.  To  regulate  the  various  meetings  for  worship. 

c.  To  maintain  the  proper  exercise  of  church  discipline. 

d.  To  decide  upon  applications  for  church  membership. 

e.  To  determine  for  what  purposes  the  church  edifice  shall 
be  used. 

f.  To  appoint  the  Organist,  and  the  principal  chapel  ser- 
vants, both  male  and  female,  and  these  shall  appoint 
their  assistants,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  Board- 
er. In  general  to  carry  out,  in  this  Congregation,  the  princi- 
ples and  rules  enacted  by  the  proper  authorities  of  the 
church  of  the  United  Brethren. 

2.  Board  of  Trustees. — The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  be  com- 
posed of  the  Warden  of  the  Congregation,  (so  long  as  such 
an  officer  with  his  present  functions,  shall  be  retained  in  the 
Congregation,)  and  six  brethren,  to  be  elected  by  the  Congre- 
gation Council,  who  must  be  25  years  of  age  and  have  been 
members  of  the  Church  three  years. 

After  the  first  election  the  six  brethren  elected  shall,  at  their 
first  meeting  divide  themselves  by  lot  into  three  classes ;  the 
time  of  service  of  the  first  class  shall  expire  at  the  end  of  the 
first  year  ;  that  of  the  second  class  at  the  end  of  the  second 
year  ;  and  that  of  the  third  class  at  the  end  of  the  third  year ; 
so  that  one  third,  vizv  two  members  must  be  chosen  every 
year  after  the  first,  and  their  term  of  service  shall  then  be 
three  years.  The  election  shall  be  held  on  the  first  Tuesday 
of  May  in  every  year. 

Should  the  office  of  Warden  become  extinct,  the  six  elected 
members  shall  constitute  the  Board. 


PRINCIPLES  AND  DISCIPLINE. 


11 


At  the  first  meeting  after  each  annual  election  the  Board  shall 
organize  by  electing  a  President  and  Secretary. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Board  of  Trustees : 

a.  To  manage  and  direct  all  secular  and  financial  affairs  of 
the  Congregation,  and  of  the  Salem  Diacony  and  single  Sis- 
ters' Diaconjr  in  particular. 

I.  To  determine  the  Salaries  of  the  Minister,  the  Warden, 
and  other  officers  and  servants  of  the  congregation. 

<?.  To  fix  upon  the  amount  of  church  contributions  to  be  an- 
nually paid  by  the  members,  and  to  adopt  measures  for  the 
punctual  payment  of  the  same.  They  shall  likewise  have 
power  to  exonerate  members  on  account  of  their  inability 
to  pay. 

d.  To  have  the  charge  and  superintendence  of  the  graveyard 
and  the  appointment  of  persons  to  dig  graves,  and  to  keep 
the  graveyard  in  proper  order.  No  interment  of  any  per- 
son, not  a  member  of  the  church,  shall  take  place  therein 
without  their  consent  having  been  obtained. 

e.  To  pay  or  cause  to  be  paid  the  expenses  necessarily  in- 
curred by  the  Board  of  Elders  in  the  discharge  of  their  le- 
gitimate sphere  of  duties. 

3.  School  Board. — The  School  Board  shall  be  composed  of  the 
Pastor  or  Pastors  of  the  Congregation,  the  Warden,  and 
three  other  brethren  to  be  elected  biennially  by  the  Congre- 
gation Council.  It  shall  have  the  direction  and  management 
of  the  Congregation  school  for  boys.  One  of  the  Pastors 
shall  preside  at  its  meetings,  and  be  the  Principal  or  Inspec- 
tor of  the  School. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  Board : 

a.  To  appoint  the  teacher  or  teachers,  and  fix  their  salaries. 
5.  To  fix  the  price  of  tuition,  and  collect  the  same. 

c.  To  provide  for  the  expenses  of  the  school. 

d.  To  make  and  enforce  rules  and  regulations  for  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  same. 


12 


PRINCIPLES  AND  DISCIPLINE. 


All  boys  eight  years  of  age  and  upwards,  shall  be  admitted  to 
this  school,  whose  parents,  or  one  of  them,  are  members  of 
this  congregation,  and  who  shall  be  willing  to  submit  to  the 
rules  and  regulations  of  the  school.  The  sons  of  others,  not 
members,  may  be  admitted  on  such  terms,  and  under  such 
rules  and  regulations  as  the  School  Board  may  find  expe- 
dient. 

The  Board  of  Elders  and  the  Board  of  Trustees  have  each  their 
separate  sphere  of  activity,  and  are  not  to  interfere  with  one 
another  in  the  performance  of  their  particular  duties  ;  one 
having  charge  of  the  spiritual,  and  the  other  of  the  temporal 
concerns  of  the  Congregation ;  yet  it  is  desirable  that  they 
should  be  on  terms  of  friendly  intercourse,  and  even  confer 
together  in  such  cases  as  may  arise  where  each  Board  is  in- 
terested, or  where  such  mutual  conference  may  result  for  the 
manifest  good  of  the  Congregation.  In  cases  of  disagree- 
ment between  these  two  Boards,  a  joint  meeting  of  both  may 
be  had  and  the  subject  disposed  of  by  a  majority  of  votes. 

No  one  shall  hold  a  seat  in  the  Board  of  Elders  and  in  the 
Board  of  Trustees  at  the  same  time. 

In  case  of  absence  of  the  presiding  officer  in  any  of  the  three 
boards,  the  members  thereof  shall  appoint  a  President  pro.tem. 

Any  vacancies  occurring  among  the  elective  members  of  any  of 
these  three  boards,  may  be  filled  by  the  remainder  of  the 
Board  until  the  next  time  for  a  regular  election. 

CONGREGATION  COUNCIL. 
The  Congregation  Council  shall  be  composed  of  all  brethren, 
communicant  members  of  the  Congregation,  who  shall  have 
attained  to  the  age  of  21  years,  and  who  shall  have  subscrib- 
ed to  the  rules  and  regulations  of  this  congregation.  The 
aet  of  subscribing  to  the  rules  can  take  place  only  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  minister  or  Board  of  Elders,  who  shall  add  the 
date  of  the  signature. 

The  pastor,  or  in  case  there  be  two,  the  senior  pastor,  shall  pre- 
side in  all  meetings  of  the  Council.     In  case  of  his  absence 


PRINCIPLES  AND  DISCIPLINE. 


18 


the  Congregation  Council  shall  elect  a  chairman  pro.  tern. — 
All  meetings  of  the  Congregation  Council  shall  be  announc- 
ed on  two  occasions  of  public  worship.  It  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  Congregation  Council  to  elect  the  Delegates  to  the 
Provincial  Synods  ;  the  elective  members  of  the  Board  of 
Elders,  Board  of  Trustees,  and  School  Board,  and  all  other 
officers  and  boards  of  the  Congregation  not  herein  otherwise 
provided  for. 

The  Board  of  Elders  shall  have  authority  at  any  time  to  con- 
vene the  Congregation  Council ;  and  upon  application  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  or  ten  members  of  the  Council,  they  shall 
call  a  meeting. 

All  standing  officers  elected  by  the  Congregation  Council  shall 
continue  in  office  until  their  successors  are  elected.  All  elec- 
tions shall  be  by  ballot,  and  a  majority  of  the  votes  cast  shall 
be  necessary  to  a  choice. 

Whenever  it  shall  be  deemed  expedient  by  the  Board  of  Elders, 
or  Board  of  Trustees,  Congregational  matters  may  be  by 
them  submitted  to  the  Congregation  Council.  All  matters 
which  relate  to  the  temporal  or  spiritual  welfare  of  the  Con- 
gregation may  be  discussed  in  the  Congregation  Council. 

The  annual  accounts  of  the  Diacony  shall  be  submitted  to  the 
Council. 

Appointments  to  office  in  the  Congregation  shall  in  every  in- 
stance take  place  agreeably  to  the  rules  laid  down  by  the 
Synods  of  our  church.  The  exclusive  right  of  appointment 
is  vested  in  the  Provincial  Elders'  Conference.  In  case  of 
vacancy  by  death  or  otherwise,  in  the  Pastorate  or  office  of 
Warden,  when  a  brother  is  appointed  by  the  Provincial  El- 
ders' Conference,  the  name  of  the  brother  so  appointed  shall 
be  by  the  Provincial  Elders'  Conference  laid  before  the  Board 
of  Elders,  and  then  before  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  these 
Boards  shall  decide  whether  the  person  whose  name  is  laid 
before  them  shall  be  accepted  or  not ;  and  they  may  in  be- 
half of  the  congregation,  propose  the  name  of  another  per- 
son. 

See  Digest  of  Prov.  Synod,  1856,  p.  35,  §  52. 


34  PRINCIPLES  AND  DISCIPLINE. 

On  the  other  hand,  if  cases  should  occur  where  ministering 
brethren  have  lost  the  confidence  of  the  congregation,  or  dis- 
satisfaction exist  respecting  them,  in  office,  the  Congregation 
may  through  these  Boards  express  their  opinions  and  wishes 
to  the  Provincial  Elders  Conference. 

Digest,  1856,  p.  35,  §  52. 

All  resolutions  of  the  Board  of  Elders,  Board  of  Trustees  and 
Congregation  Council  not  referring  merely  to  their  current 
business,  but  containing  permanent  regulations,  shall  be  sub- 
mitted for  approbation  to  the  Provincial  Elder's  Conference 
who  shall,  however,  be  at  liberty  to  withhold  their  sanction 
only  in  case  such  resolutions,  in  the  opinion  of  said  confer- 
ence, are  at  variance  with  the  principles  and  constitution  of 
the  church. 

Persons  desiring  to  be  received  as  members,  must  apply  to  the 
minister,  who  shall,  as  soon  as  may  be,  submit  the  applica- 
tion to  the  Board  of  Elders,  who  shall  have  full  power  to 
grant  or  refuse  the  application,  at  once,  or  to  fix  upon  a  term 
of  probation.  Candidates  for  the  Holy  Communion,  under 
ordinary  circumstances,  must  first  attend  a  preparatory 
course  of  catechetical  instruction,  and  then  obtain  admission 
to  the  Lord's  table,  if  unbaptized,  through  baptism  ;  or  if  al- 
ready baptized,  through  confirmation. 

Persons  who  have  previously  been  full  members  of  another 
Christian  denomination  are  received  by  extending  to  them 
the  right  hand  of  Christian  fellowship  in  a  meeting  of  the 
Congregation,  on  which  occasion  a  charge  may  be  addressed 
to  them,  and  a  prayer  be  offered  up  in  their  behalf.  Such 
persons  are  required,  if  possible,  to  produce  certificates  of 
their  baptism  and  admission  to  the  Lord's  table. 

Whenever  persons  having  children  are  admitted  to  church 
membership,  such  only  of  their  children  as  are  under  four- 
teen years  of  age  shall  be  considered  as  admitted  along  with 
the  parents. 

Members  of  other  Moravian  Congregations,  removing  into  our 
snidst  and  desiring  to  be  admitted  to  church  privileges,  shall 


PRINCIPLES  AN i)  DISCIPLINE. 


call  upon  the  minister  and  give  satisfactory  evidence  of  their 
membership,  whereupon  they  shall  be  considered  members  of 
this  congregation.  The  names  of  persons  so  admitted  shall 
be  communicated  in  a  meeting  of  the  congregation. 

Members  are  expected  to  bring  their  infant  children  to  be  bap-- 
tized  as  soon  as  convenient,  and  if  circumstances  permit,  im 
the  church.  §>uch  baptized  children,  by  the  sacrament  of 
Baptism,  have  become  incorporated  into  the  visible  church  of 
Christ,  and  are  to  be  regarded  as  members  of  the  Congrega- 
tion,— unless  by  their  misconduct  in  riper  years,  they  have 
forfeited  their  privileges. 

Whenever  members  of  the  church  desire  to  enter  into  the  state 
of  matrimony,  they  are  to  give  notice  of  their  intention  to 
the  minister  of  the  congregation  ;  whom  as  a  general  rule,, 
they  will  request  to  perform  the  ceremony  of  their  marriage. 

Whenever  it  becomes  necessary  to  decide  upon  the  question 
whether  a  member  of  the  Congregation  shall  any  longer  be 
regarded  as  such  (according  to  Part  I,  §  18  and  19  of  these 
rules)  the  case  shall  be  taken  into  consideration  by  the  Board 
of  Elders,  and  everything  shall  be  done  that  the  case  may  be 
determined  fairly  and  according  to  the  truth,  the  member  in 
question  being  in  every  case  entitled  to  a  hearing  before  the 
Board. 

Members  who  have  been  excluded  shall  be  duly  notified  thereof 
by  the  minister,  and  shall  in  all  eases  have  the  right  of  ap- 
peal to  the  Provincial  Elders'  Conference. 

Whenever  any  member  shall  have,  for  the  space  of  twelve 
months,  absented  himself  from  the  Lord's  supper,  or  from 
the  meetings  of  the  Congregation,  or  shall  have  refused  to 
contribute  any  sum  towards  the  discharge  of  the  regular  dues 
of  membership,  without,  in  either  case,  assigning  a  sufficient 
reason,  such  member  shall  be  considered  as  having  withdrawn 
from  the  membership  of  the  church. 

In  order  that  the  Congregation  may  be  placed  in  a  proper  re- 
lation to  such  as  have  been  excluded,  or  have  withdrawn  from 


PKINCIPLES  AND  DISCIPLINE. 


church  fellowship,  all  cases  of  exclusion  or  withdrawal  shall 
be  mentioned  to  the  congregation  in  an  appropriate  way,  at 
a  suitable  meeting. 

Whenever  the  interests  of  the  Congregation,  at  any  future  time, 
shall  render  it  expedient  to  alter  or  amend,  or  add  to,  any  of 
these  present  rules  and  regulations,  such  alterations,  amend- 
ments, or  additions,  if  adopted  by  a  majority  of  two-thirds  of 
all  the  votes  cast  in  the  Congregation  Council,  shall  be  of 
equal  weight  and  obligation  as  though  they  had  been  literal- 
ly embodied  in  these  present  rules  and  regulations  ;  provided 
the  vote  on  such  alterations  or  amendments  is  not  taken  in 
the  same  meeting  in  which  they  were  introduced,  but  at  some 
subsequent  meeting  of  the  Congregation  Council  expressly 
Convened  for  that  purpose  ;  and,  provided  further,  that  all 
such  proposed  alterations  and  amendments  have  obtained  the 
^auction  of  the  Provincial  Elders'  Conference. 


18 


